19th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival CLOSING Coverage 2010

By Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

Sunday, (10.24.10) the official last day of The Philadelphia Film Festival, was my first screenings at Ritz Five, it was unintentional, but everything else I saw just happened to play in University City or The Prince. I saw Housemaid a South Korean film about a overly privileged, insufferably arrogant rich business man who takes advantage of his housekeeper/nanny. When she becomes pregnant his wife and mother-in-law conspire to get rid of her. The set production of their mansion is awesome, looks as if they’re living in a exquisitely appointed 4 star hotel. The film however, plays rather all on one level, felt as if scenes were just repeating themselves. Also feel the ending is too dramatic and surreal in comparison to the rest of the film. It’s the remake of a film made in the 1960’s that I understand is far better than this version. Unfortunately, I missed that screening which played at noon, having overslept after being out late the night before at the closing night party.

I also saw the documentary Waste Land, which is the complete opposite of its title. Commentary and Q & A with filmmaker Lucy Walker will be on the site later this week.

The best part about blogging for PFS is not just getting to see the films in this exceptionally well programmed festival. It’s not getting into the parties for free, it’s having a reason to talk to people. With my official blogger badge, I got to speak to a lot of friendly filmgoers and even a few filmmakers; although in the future, I’d like to be bolder and actually get a few interviews. Still, as you can see from the blog, after screening Q & A’s were plentiful, making individual interviews almost unnecessary.

These closing day films I saw with Darryl, a brand new member of PFS. I thought it might have been a casual date, there seemed to be a vibe the previous night at the party, but I guess I thought wrong. At any rate, he said he’s been coming to the festival for years, but this was the first time he joined and bought a pass. He saw 29 movies. I saw 17, but also went to 2 panels, 3 parties, a workshop and got to use my 10% PFS member discount at Positano Coast.

The Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday before the closing night film 127 Hours – you can download my digital voice recording of the presentation from DivShare.com Click HERE (pictured Ruth Perlmutter)

Click film titles for trailers to each movie.

Best Short Film: Kelp directors: Benjamin Dohrmann, Seth Cuddeback
Filmadelphia Award for Best Local Feature: Lebanon, PA director: Ben Hickernell (pictured Hickernell and Mayor Nutter) click HERE to read blog commentary and Q & A for Lebanon PA

Archie Award for Best First:Time Filmmaker: Hesher director: Spencer Susser

Best Narrative Feature: Carancho director: Pablo Trapero

Best Documentary Feature: Life 2.0 director: Jason Spingarn-Koff

Danny Boyle’s (Slumdog Millionaire) new film 127 Hours, based on the true story of outdoorsman Aron Ralston (played by James Franco) is everything you’ve heard so far- surprisingly riveting, vivid, thrilling and so, so hard to watch sitting still. Anyone watching me would have seen a lot of twisting and writhing in my seat out of discomfort watching what this man had to endure. I admit to shutting my eyes completely at the crucial moment.

Click HERE to read a review of 127 Hours by fellow PFS blogger, Colin George (FARCE/film).
After the film, I interviewed this couple – Heather – “Phenomenal movie, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I really thought he was going to cut his arm off every 10 minutes. I just kept cringing, thinking, I don’t want to see this, but I watched it all, the final scene between my fingers”. Kadar – ” I don’t know if I could have done it, or maybe I would have tried to cut if off a lot sooner” I was really hoping he wasn’t going to have to resort to drinking the pee, that the rain storm could have been real.”

Julia in the gray coat answered for this group of film attendees, she writes a blog too – Philly Inside Out “I thought it was well directed and really well acted. You go in thinking how are they going to make this movie last an hour and a half, but I was captivated by just this one guy. Only criticism, the “Lion King” (type) music at the end was a little cheesy.”

Then on to the Closing Night Party (212 N. 12th Street) View pictures on Lorraine Daley Flickr page click HERE .
Seeing as there was nothing to eat but TastyKakes and Philly Soft Pretzels, I was anxious to get on the dance floor and work off some of those empty calories. It took awhile for everyone to get enough Dock Street brews in them,but once people were on the floor, the night went on til late; after a quick late night stop at a diner, I got home well after 3am.

I also did a few blogging interviews at the party:
Tammy’s favorite film of the festival was Poetry “A full story, very layered”

Ernie Vecchione flew in from the west coast just to see 127 Hours and loved it. Vecchione is the creator/executive producer of a new webisode series SEX ED. Susan Dietrich listed her 3 favorite films of the festival in order: Cafe, Copacabana, and Every Day (I’m glad I caught Cafe, but I too really wanted to see Copacabana and Helen Hunt in Every Day!)

And Renata’s favorite was opening night film Black Swan (click for Aronofsky Q & A) Renata also writes a fashion blog scorpion/disco .

So that’s it! 10 days of watching life, death, love, laughter, tears, drugs, infidelity, commitment, gun shots, and so much sex! The only movie without simulated copulation was Megamind, in addition to the subject, saw 4 characters choosing or not choosing abortion. I had a lot of fun!

I appreciate everyone who stopped to talk to me, but it’s disappointing to have received only two blog comments (on PFS site) from one person, (her comments were terrific!) Still, I’ll say it once again: Love to hear from you! Feel free to make comments on the film festival overall. What you saw, Mini reviews or comment on my commentary and Q & A’s.